Natalie Cantor Metzger was a film actress and the second daughter of Eddie Cantor, a famous comedian and singer. She was also the wife of Robert Clary, a French-born American actor who played Corporal Louis LeBeau on the sitcom Hogan’s Heroes. Natalie Cantor Metzger died on December 11, 1997, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 81. But what was the cause of her death and how did she live her life?
Early Life and Career
Natalie Cantor was born on April 27, 1916, in New York City, New York. She was one of the five daughters of Eddie Cantor and Ida Tobias Cantor. Her sisters were Marjorie, Edna, Marilyn, and Janet. Natalie grew up in a show business family and followed her father’s footsteps into acting. She made her film debut in Special Delivery (1927), a comedy short starring her father. She also appeared on This Is Your Life (1950), a TV show that surprised celebrities with guests from their past.
Natalie was first married to Joseph Louis Metzger, a businessman, on May 6, 1937. They had a son, Michael Metzger, who was born on October 18, 1939. Michael was Eddie Cantor’s first grandchild. However, the marriage ended in divorce on June 11, 1946.
Marriage to Robert Clary
Natalie met Robert Clary, a Holocaust survivor and actor, in 1964. They fell in love and got married on May 17, 1965. They remained together for 47 years until Natalie’s death. Robert Clary was best known for his role as Corporal Louis LeBeau, a French chef and prisoner of war, on Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971), a comedy series set in a German POW camp during World War II. He also had a successful career as a singer and stage performer.
Natalie and Robert shared a passion for educating people about the Holocaust and its horrors. Robert Clary was one of the few survivors of the Buchenwald concentration camp, where he lost most of his family members. Natalie also had relatives who perished in the Nazi genocide. They traveled across the United States and spoke at schools, synagogues, and community centers about their experiences and the importance of tolerance and human rights.
Death and Legacy
Natalie Cantor Metzger died on December 11, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. The cause of her death was acute ischemic heart disease, which is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the heart is reduced due to a blockage in the arteries.She was buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Natalie Cantor Metzger is remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She is also remembered as an actress who appeared in films and TV shows with her father and husband. She left behind a legacy of courage and compassion for the victims of the Holocaust and their families.
